Closed ears

   

















Can you tell me . . . How do you share what's in your heart to to someone that has turned their back to you and closed their ears?

All kinds of LOVE

There are all kinds of love.

The "I've loved you for a long time and we've shared a lot together" love makes your heart feel full and your lips turn up in a smile.

He stole my heart

     He stole my heart. I think it was the baby blues that seduced me first. We met as strangers on a stairway in the late evening some time ago. I was on an extended trip, leasing a darling little condo on an island. He came by one night, watching me and keeping a safe distance. He was coy and had an engaging personality, a seasoned flirt. His voice teasing me with his repetitive meowing.

     The next night he was back,

KINDNESS

Every gesture, every caring deed . . .  lives on infinitely.

When was the last time you did a random act of kindness?

Objective viewpoint

What is something that you think other people would like to change about you?

This is how it is . . .

Hot summer night

lying in bed all sticky

want to make love

but the heat won't let me

the touch of our bodies

all sticky and wet

No sex tonight

this is as close as we'll get.

Appreciating some simple things today

Simple things I am grateful for today:

 . . . The fresh feeling of running my tongue across my just brushed teeth.
. . .  seeing my friend's lips turn into a smile when she sees me unexpectedly.
. . . a sincere and long hug that comes from the heart.
. . . a bite of extra creamy milk chocolate melting in my mouth.
 . . . being able to hear the sounds of baby birds chirping in their nest.
 . . . sitting next to the lake in an old fashioned andironack chair and feeling the serenity of nature.
 . . .  feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.
 . . . the relief that putting on sunglasses brings to my squinty eyes.
 . . .  having the opportunity to live life another day.
 . . . the comfort in knowing that I am positive and hopeful and have not given up on people.
 . . . seeing a dog that was adpoted from an animal shelter, licking and wagging it's tail with her new family.

Just a little farther . . . you're almost there

POSSIBILITIES

When PIGS FLY?
If you believe,
it IS possible!

Catch a Memory

     Sometimes it's not much that catches me off guard. Even the smallest word or action can take me back in time so fast that I don't know what happened. Others around me of course aren't aware of what has transpired, but it is powerful none the less.  My mother, my father and my twin brother have all passed away, the four of us were the "immediate" family. I think about them frequently, actually it's intersting to me how I think about them almost everyday in some manner. At times all I want to do is share something with them, a bit of humor, some conversation, thoughts or feelings about something.  Just a moment to hear their voice, see their face, have an idle exchange. There is something though that I find difficult. It's the fact that I don't have anyone to share their life histories with that remembers them in the same way that I do. I feel that I am losing grasp of some of the memories, that the memories are slipping away and there is no way that I can get them back if they are lost. I want to remember everything and of course I can't. So I am pleased and thankful when an interaction, a word, a picture or an experience remind me of them in some way. And that makes me smile and be happy in my heart. It feels as good as a warm breeze on my face on a hot, still day.

JUST be YOURSELF.
There's no one else like you.

Being OPEN

Open yourself to the infinite possibilities of life. Go beyond the borders that you have accepted  and considered normal. Take that deep breath and go out into the world.

WHAT?

What thoughts keep you awake at night? 

Love is . . .

Love is hope.

Love is patience.

Love is now.

Love is understanding.

Love is eternal.

Love is laughter.

Love is tenderness.

Jumping Out of My Box

     Well, I did it. I had promised someone that if they signed up for lessons that I would
 take the lessons with them. And even though I was sure they would eventually take the lessons, I felt that I had lots of time and tucked the thought away in my head.
   

Away from Home too Long

        I've been gone from home since Christmas day. And now it's St. Patrick's Day.  I have moments of homesickness that grasp me tightly out of nowhere. Tonight is one of them.   I won't be home again until probably the beginning of May.  I am combining pleasure and a work project.  Sometimes being away from home is exciting, adventurous and necessary.
     But there are moments when I long to be home.  I feel restless, meloncholy and low in energy.  An empty ache inside. 

CREATIVE INSPIRATION

     The birth of an idea.    
     Where do the initial stirrings come from? What is that place, that person, that one thing that made the light turn on in your brain?
     What is the motivation that allows it to come to life and

MAKING LISTS and CROSSING THEM OFF

      Are you a list maker? At one time or another we all make them.
     Think for a minute about the ones that you have made.
     There is the famous and almighty new years resolution list which most people  make but don't adhere to very long. We have our lists of goals to achieve. There are  everyday lists of

Looking at Your Heart

What does your heart look like?
     My heart looks a bit worn and tattered. It's not as bright red, not as perfectly shaped as a young brand new heart. It's been hurt and broken and tested. It's been embraced and pushed away.
It has a bruise here and there. Several lacerations, a few pretty deep. Lots of scuff marks.
     Relationships can change your heart. Loss makes it's mark with a heavy hand. Time changes it. Life can do that to your heart.
     But it is also large and caring. It is capable for much more than what it looks like it can do. It is wiser than before, more resistant, more patient. And forgiving. But most of all it is hopeful and always has room for love. It knows truth and sincerity. It knows kindness.
     Look beyond the heart, look into it, until you see into the heart's very soul. And that is where we grow, we share, we know, we understand. It is where we love unconditionaly. It is where we are all beautiful.
(photo - unknown source)

A Peacock and a Tiger

     Do you ever feel like you don't quite fit in?
     Let me set a sample scenario for you. For instance. a group setting, a relaxing weekend evening, A BBQ, bonfire, balmy skies, with a bit of chill in the air, everyone getting closer to the fire to get warm. First a bit of idle chatter, weather, a little news, introductions and maybe a few drinks, or not. Certainly everyone is friendly, you feel welcome, perhaps you know some or most people, everyone chatting, laughing, seemingly having a great time and you are very much a part of the conversation. And yet for some reason you feel that  you don't quite belong?

Words, Writers and Magical Power

     Writers are interesting people. I've been following blogs, reading columnists (especially the NYT's), magazine articles and books that I feel really tell a story, share an experience, unveil an emotion or plant a seed in the reader.
     It fascinates me how, although we all have access to words, (there is no ownwership to the words in any language, the dictionary or thesausus) putting those words together requires understanding and talent. If we so desire, we can even make up words and give meaning to them, and have even more words.
     To put words together takes minimal effort really.  But to make those words mean something, to make them come to life and take hold . . . Ahhhh . . . . that is ectasy dear reader, like a drug into our veins, it takes hold and carries us on a journey that only our minds can put limitations on.  It is the Master that stirs words together like a focused scientist, a romantic dreamer or an adventurous explorer . Magic to open our hearts to an old soul, a person who has lived and wants to give you a part of themselves. A writer sometimes can put on paper what they cannot say outloud.
     Writing can appear like child's play to those that don't understand the power of words..Think of words that have touched you, moved you. Think of why you write, why you read. How often has someone said or witten words to you, and you've been changed? The words have stopped you right there, so much so that you close your eyes and repeat the words under your breath, impregnating them into your very being. It is the combination of words that comes to life like notes come together in song.
     I have been rendered drunk by the power of many an author. Bravo to the writer.

(photo from unknown source)

TRUTH

Somedays, even though we know the truth,
denying the obvious is still painful.
Even the eternal optimist can have their bad days.

The humility of aging gracefully

      Why are we so afraid of getting older? What ever happened to aging gracefully? To be an elegant  and beautiful or handsome mature human and be proud. Why can we not celebrate who we are, what got us here and that we have lived some years of a life already?  What makes you old and undesirable? Does your definition of old age depend on how old you are? Is a wrinkle a defect? Is a scar a badge of honor or a disfigurement? Is grey hair a sign of a withered being or is it a mark of nature and time?  Why do we lie about our ages? Why do we fell like we need to lie about our age? When we are young, we want to be older, when we are older, we want to be younger. 

Giving up on Love

       LOVE. We like saying it, hearing it. But it is a word with all sorts of connotations, imagingings, illusions, fantasys, hopes, dreams and interpretations.
     When someone gives up on love, what makes them open up to love again? When a person dismisses another by perceived information, does it really matter if they know the truth? Afterall, doesn't that mean that it really was over already?
     If you really love someone, you never want it to be over, you want to fix things, understand things, believe, trust, and love more and better than you loved before, don't you? This is the same for romantic love as it is for any love.
      Sometimes though, people have to have more life experiences to understand love. You have to accept that you didn't know love at all before. You have to have the desire to love.
     I wish for newfound love for those, especially the ones that have come to misinterpreted conclusions from others, who will one day, know the truth and be open to the love that has been there for them.

     When you say you love someone, say it with all your heart and really mean the words you say.

Blogs, true feelings, relationships

     I have been reading blogs today by just doing casual surfing and stopping when something . . . the writing, photos, description or design catch my attention. For a while, the blogs were

Eleven Simple Words

Sometimes, there is a line in a movie, or a quote from a book, will touch you in a manner that stays with you and grows within your mind, your heart, your soul. These are eleven words that have touched me. 

"BE happy for this moment, 
 
for THIS moment is your LIFE"

Tick Tock - Tick Tock

     Time. We all talk about it. I know I do. How we wish we had more of it. How there isn't enough of it. Well, let's be realistic. Haven't there been times when you felt like an hour was an eternity? Mostly though, we feel that an hour is never enough.So we under appreciate all that an hour of time can be. I know I've said, "Well, I only have an hour, so I won't  . . . "
     Let's think about what we can do in an hour.
In the time of sixty minutes we have time enough to make changes in our day by doing any of the following:
Bake cookies
Take a bath
Clean out a drawer
Make an omlette
Exercise
Make love
Walk the dog
Watch a TV show
Write a blog
Have coffee with a friend
Send flowers
Write and send a letter
Telephone a loved one
Take a nap
Get a pedicure
Make a donation
Share lots of smiles
Give hugs
Do a load of laundry
Change the sheets
Enroll in school
Have a dream
Meditate
Plant seeds
Take a picture
Do a dance
Tell a joke
Hold a hand
Pray
Make some tea
Wash your car
Get a massage

Never under estimate the value of an hour, a minute or a moment in life.

IF . . .

IF . . . . .
We have "BIG" IF's in life. Here is the beginning of a list of IF's that might have changed how I lived life.
I know you can add a few of your own.

IF . . . I had more time
IF . . . I realized I didn't have more time
IF . . . I understood what you were going through
IF . . . we were honest from the beginning

The grocery adventure

     I find grocery shopping to be an entertaining and interesting excursion at times. We sometimes have to amuse oursleves with routine tasks in life. There is a designated path to take through the aisles, but sometimes you have the rebellious shopper that goes opposite the flow of traffic.The items that people put in their carts says a lot about their lifestyle, their health, their pleasures and their habits.

Open your heart

I am asking you to look into your heart. And open it. As a fellow human being, please consider giving some help to the people devastated by the earthquake in Haiti. There are many reputable organizations, that you can choose from. Even a little help will be appreciated. I try to give when there is a need, and there are always needs, I know. I have given. And I know you have given too. It is time

Inspirations when we need them

The word today is INSPIRE.
A simple word. Merriam-Webster defines INSPIRE as -  to influence, move, or guide  . .  to spur on : impel, motivate . .  to breathe or blow into or upon  . .  to infuse (as life) by breathing . .  to communicate  . .. to draw forth or bring out.
     There are times that we all need inspiration, support and encouragment no matter what we do, what

A Stranger, a Touch and a Picture

How often do you touch a stranger? There have been scientific experiments done on monkeys and the importance of touching and bonding from infancy. Humans need touch and caring as well.  But out in the world, when do we touch a stanger? And when we do touch, not accidently, but intently, what is their

Places were I've had the BEST conversations

There are times in life when we have conversations that stay with us for the rest of our lives.
They can be moving, inspirational, supportive, life changing, motivational, awareness raising, shocking, understanding, comforting, loving and so much more. But I have noticed that they take place in interesting places. I list some places I have had conversations that have moved me in some way. But these are only a dozen of the very beginning. Where have yours been?

1- Inside an automobile, especially on a long drive.
2- At the doorway, when someone is leaving after spending time together.

OH, you needed a Ride?

Can I give you a ride you ask? Ok, sure, ah . . . one second though.
Ususally (where I live), we use ours cars and trucks as solidary means of travel. We go from place to place getting in and out, making it our traveling nest with things we can't do without or think we should have just in case. Clues of who we are, strewn about inside or all organized and tidy. For me, there are sunglasses I hardly wear, a sqaure box of facial tissues and a few napkins for emergencies, a plastic straw, one plastic set of silverware, and a flashlight with a (sad to say) low battery. Antibacterial hand gel for after pumping gas, I hate smelling gas on my hands for hours afterwards, some loose change in a sandwich size ziplock bag, and a

Tea Time on Tuesday

I am on the road, doing the hotel shuffle working my way from Michigan to Florida, making stops along the way for business, fun, adventure and necessity. On the road you appreciate the little pleasures and comforts of life. Things from home, convienences, memories, rituals. In a hotel room, it can be a pot to make hot water

Circle of closed minds

Last night I was in conversation with friends, new friends. And I had to think, what makes some people just open up ansd share of themselves without holding back, a desire to impress, be loud, shock, that devil may care attitude whether you like them or not? And others hold back so much, be timid, afraid to be judged, critizied or maybe more afraid to open a door to a place that has been locked and guarded for way too long. It takes time to trust, to feel comfortable and willing to share. We give little bits and pieces of ourselves. Like

Don't put Christmas away

Christmas is past for this year. Some of us have already put away the decorations, the tree, eaten the cookies and gathered the cards. We've disposed of wrapping paper, used and shared gifts, given thanks and are thinking of a new year, perhaps making resolutions. Some will be doing these things in the days to come. We also put away our yearly traditions, yearly hopes and dreams, that somehow come alive only at the holiday season. The need to give, to try to be more understanding, to love not for love's sake, but because we love so much that it is an unconditional love. Sometimes after Christmas it seems like these words and intentions

The Packing Process of a PackRat

A few more days of this. Packing. An overwhelming thought. I have some things packed already, and so much more to consider. I will be gone almost 4 months, yes, a long time I know. We'll be driving at least, so

Lavender Ice of Summer's Dreams

Illusions of sugar plums and fairies at Christmas

When you think of Christmas time and the holidays tell me what goes through your mind? Here's some of what is going on . . . music playing, card exchanging, parties to attend,  decorating, gift buying, wrapping, endless baking . . .  entertaining, quiet surprises, sales and bargains, jostling  crowds, singing jingles, attending services, driving in traffic with people that shouldn't be driving, impatient customers, rude, overworked sales and service workers . . .  standing in line after line, keeping traditions, festive activities, fighting colds,  and lack of sleep. Tell me, what do you

ONE Family

Let's try not to forget. Make a sincere effort to show caring, patience and understanding to others even when you don't. You may grow into it.

Beautiful, Flawed or . . . .

When I first saw this brightly colored butterfly, I thought it so beautiful and it filled me with joy to be able to capture it's image on a photo. Then I saw it, the tattered wing. My heart sank a bit, and I felt a moment of pity. I decided to watch it and see what it did..Well, it was still gathering it's nectar, still able to float peacefully about in the air, perhaps needing to land on a delicate flower more often. It was still beautiful.  Flawed isn't what I saw now

Peaceful View

At this busy, hectic and emotion filled time of year, I welcome you to come and sit with me here on the lake for a while. Relax, have a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, inhale nature deeply into your lungs, close your eyes, take off your shoes, and bask in the warm afternoon sun. Take a moment, to just BE. Listen to the sounds of life all around. you'll be surprised at what you hear, what you see, what you feel. Stay. Just for a little while. Reconnect with your inner self. Celebrating you. And do come back. Your chair will be waiting here.

The Emotions of Honor

I have to ready myself for this ride. I think about it for a few days before I go. A mental and emotional readiness has to occur. A preparation within myself. To my right, sits a golf course, on it are small

Sunset at the Park

Flamingos of Alaska

These flamingos were set free by a kind heart with a sense of humor.

INTERPRETATIONS

Ever go to a movie, then walking out after its ending, you'll be talking about the movie and it's meaning, only to realize that the person, who was sitting right next to you for the entire movie (sharing the same popcorn), seemed to have watched an entirely different flick? It makes you look at them twice and rethink who that

An Award (HONEST SCRAP)- NOMINEES

Thank you (with a nod and a curtsey) to "the romantic query letter and happy ever after" for nominating me for the Honest Scrap Award. I am both surprised and humbly grateful coming from such a caring and talented writer. As requested, read on for parts One and Two of the requirements.

I will be sharing 7 (hard to pick) blog choices that I nominate. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

PART I -My NOMINEES for "The Honest Scrap Award" are:

TIME ALONE

Although I am very social and positive and upbeat, there are times when I become more introverted, quiet and desire to be alone. I am not antisocial, I am not mad, but I am less talkative, low key, and reflective in my thoughts. I like to drink hot tea, instead of coffee, or maybe a bit of blackberry brandy in a snifter glass, swirling the

If Door Knockers could speak

I found this wonderful door knocker and was intriqued by it's architecturial interest, it's classic style, it's strength, the bold color of the door, and how it compliments the male figure. There is something quite majestic about him. Not only do I seldom ever see

Butterfly pink and black

That Ahhhhh time of day

Having HISTORY in a relationship

As time passes, we lose friends and loved ones in our lives, to all sorts of reasons. And as life has it, we go on  meeting new people, making new relationships, new friends, you know just what I am saying,  those close and intimate and I love you for who you are kind of people. But at the beginning, you feel like you are introducing  The "you" to them,  talking about your past to people you meet. Letting them know about you, or what

What do you really see?

A beautiful sunset in Key West, Florida, a golden sky, gorgeous sun, a large ship anchored, and birds and pelicans resting at shores edge. But what caught my eye was the helicopter on board. At first I didn't see it,

The GIFT of GIVING

The gift of giving.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive".
 "When we give, we get back tenfold".
We hear it everywhere, especially this time of year.  The declarations that encourage us to give. Do they really? Or do they make us feel guilty for not giving when we can, or when we could? Are you a giver?  Do you give willingly, or because it's the right thing to do? Look deep within yourself. When you give, do

Relationships INSIDE an Elevator

A strange topic, but one that we've all experienced. There is something about stepping into an elevator alone, you own the space.  It's your minute of thinking, of last minute prepping of the next activity once you step out of it.  Perhaps a time of reflection, or a place that holds you captured momentarily, taking a few more minutes of your valuable time. You hit the button of

When you're HOME

Home. What makes home really home? What is that feeling of taking a deep sigh and feeling relaxed as soon as you walk in the door? That moment when you say "It's good to be home".  Home reflects you. It smells like you, reflects the colors that you like, is comfortable, and everywhere there are things that make you happy. And of course it's very true, that it's not things, but people that make home a safe and happy place to be.  But let's talk about people another time. Do you have a favorite place to go to or sit in when you come home?  A chair, a corner? When you've been gone all day or days, even weeks at a time, what is the

Locked Regrets

Are there places in your heart that you have locked up from both yourself and others? How long have we locked up our emotions? Seems like most of us  have done some locking and chaining and bolting, sometimes double checking to be sure it's secure. That locked place, a place where you used to go often, then less, ignoring it for periods of time, but not forgetting. Do you go there sometimes still? Is there something in particular that sparks a desire to go to that place? You know it's there, you know what is inside. A place that is heavy, emotional or overwhelming for you? Why do you keep it locked?  When is it time to truly be who you are, with confidence? To celebrate the positive that has come from the hardship. Have you not

Memories and Christmas Songs

Today I was shopping in a store with music was playing in the background, something that we hear but pay little attention to. We can go in and out of shops not even realizing that we have been listening to music. Oft times we're glad to get outside because it wasn't something we enjoyed listening to.  There has been a lot of study put into the types of music that will encourage shoppers to linger, feel relaxed and energized  in order to put them in the mood to purchase more. Not to forget that we celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanza at this season as well. But that is not what I felt today. Today, they were playing Christmas songs, too early for me, I'd rather they wait until after Thanksgiving, but it was playing regardless of my preferences. I found myself

Adam and Eve and what?

My little Adam and Eve. I've had this trinket box for many years. I bought it at a quaint gift shop because I thought it was cute, quirky and artsy, and said something about coming into this world just as we are, and growing into ourselves everyday from that point onward. A great reminder. Everyday is a new beginning a chance to start fresh. About keeping a sense of humor with ourselves and life. A conversation piece if you will. Well, I used to display it on a side table, in the family room. Another piece of artwork to enjoy. Then over time, I began to see that a few people were actually uncomfortable with it being there, as if this small clay and wooden box exposed them somehow. Was it a

The Art of being a Storyteller

Are you a storyteller? Long ago when I was a little girl, we would visit friends of my parents, and their elderly mother lived with them. I was excited to go there and my smile grew the minute I saw her. She was a tiny woman, traditional european in her dress, dark stockings, dark clothes that seemed a bit too big for her little body. A gold cross hanging from her neck, the chain catching a sparkle from the light as she moved. Small gold earrings with a semi precious stone dangling from them. She often wore a fringed shawl which fascinated

Language Awakening

Some of you know and speak more than one language. Some know one single language, and are content with that. Some of you are learning more languages. Bravo to you. For some it is easy, for others a struggle. I grew up speaking German, my parents coming here as immigrants after WWII. Both with only a 6th grade education, because war has no time for such luxuries as education. And although they spoke many languages albeit some better than others, German, Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian  they now had to learn one more, English. They were older, exhausted from the war, in a country where nothing was familiar,and found it difficult. I often was embarassed by their accents as a child, and proud of their accomplishments when I was older.They spoke German with my

To honor our military and families

How many times have you heard "I support our military, and their families, and all they do for us"? Many times right? I'm sure you have said these words yourself. I know I have. But how do we really support them? What do we really do besides a nice phrase of thanks, not even to them, but just in general? Our military offer everything they have to protect us and serve us in any manner they are called upon to do. Leave home,

Masquerade of paper vs real

There's a difference between drinking for thirst or pleasure. When you're really thirsty, all you care about is doing some serious quenching, almost any liquid, in just about any container, will suffice just fine. But when you want to enjoy your drink, paper and plastic just don't get it for me. I don't like drinking out of paper cups. Makes your lips and tongue kind of dry and the cup feels flimsy to hold in your hand.. I find my tongue and fingers playing with the seam that holds it together. Hot is so very hot when holding paper or cardboard, even with the cute little "sleeves" that often come with the drinks. Not a fan of styrofoam either, especially those little magnetic ball shaped, can't get them off pieces of styrofoam fragments, that hang on to everything. How many of them have we ingested? There is the tendency to want to bite a chunk out of the styrofoam cup too. Can make a passive person aggressive just drinking out

Loved ones from the past

There are days that seem to bring an abundance of  memories from loved ones in our past. You have had days like this I know. Our memory can be jarred by so much. A photo, an old movie, a song, words, seasons of the year, a conversation. It can be just about anything. Most days it makes us appreciate what is good in our lives. It makes it hard to understand why things are the way they are with much in the world. How easy it is to be hateful and opinionated against other people and their ways. How sometimes it seems that people need to have a target for that anger. And how little it takes to try to be understanding, appreciative, keep a sense

Orca whales doing lunch.

It was a privilege to have my camera capture these Orca whales while kayaking in Alaska. It was late morning, and they were herding for salmon  (there were thousands and thousands of salmon). They weren't the slightest bit interested or curious about us. The thrill of being so close and being able to observe them made my heart pound and my stomach flutter. Afterwards I felt exhilerated and had a smile all across my face. I had never been in a kayak before, nor did I know that the water was 600 feet deep and 47 degrees F. I felt secure with the tour guides and tried to nurture the sense of adventure instead of the fear.